Ba Fenghan and Xu Ziling jumped on a tall tree one after another. They looked around and saw that there were torches in all directions, completely blocking the escape route.
Xu Ziling sighed: If it weren't for the heavy spring fog at night, we could just set a fire to create chaos and escape.
Ba Feng coldly snorted: Even if we fight and die, there will be no regrets if Kou Zhong and Shu Ni can successfully leave.
Xu Ziling was shocked and said: If I hadn't heard this with my own ears at this moment from Brother Fenghan, I would never have believed that Brother Fenghan was such a hero who never looked back and regarded death as home.
Ba Fenghan smiled bitterly and said: "Having no hesitation is just a compliment. It's still a step away from seeing death as a homecoming. I just never regret the decisions I made, as long as I do it casually. You two are so affectionate and kind to me. I'm not a despicable person."
Now we only hope that Mr. Zhong will be able to kill Li Mi to avenge us.
Xu Ziling shook his head and said: No! I can't let Li Mi kill you. Hey! If we could transform into two of Li Mi's men, would our chances of escape be greatly increased?
Ba Fenghan frowned and said: "Do you want to capture two people to change their clothes? But the Wagang Army is famous for its strict organization. There are regiments and battalions under the army, and they are divided into several teams, each with its own subordinates. Plus, we can't change our shirts."
Your face will only make people laugh!
Xu Ziling took out a mask from his arms and handed it to Ba Fenghan and said: "This is the legacy of Mr. Lu Miaozi, the most skilled craftsman in the world. Let's change our faces first and then try to change our clothes."
After saying this, he put on another mask and immediately transformed into the scar-faced hero who had fought against the four great bandits.
Ba Fenghan was amazed when he saw it. With the help of Xu Ziling, he put on a mask and transformed into a young strong man with sunken eyes, thin lips and a bulging chin.
Ba Fenghan cheered up and said: This is very different! Come on! Let's cut some branches to use as hidden weapons. Follow me!
※※※
Kou Zhong carried Dong Shuni on his back as he galloped through the mountains and fields, escaped from a dense forest, and ran up a hill. When he saw the Luoshui River lying in front of him, there was a brightly lit city on the other side.
Kou Zhong laughed and said: Finally we are here! Stop.
Dong Shuni reluctantly left his generous and warm tiger back. Seeing Kou Zhongxiong standing as tall as a mountain, his eyes were shining as he looked at Yanshi City standing on the plain five miles away. He had an incomparable and awe-inspiring aura.
She leaned into his arms and whispered: You must not tell anyone about our affairs! If my uncle finds out, he will definitely kill you.
Kou Zhong lowered his head and glanced at this touching beauty, and couldn't help but recall what happened just now. He thought that this would be the best. Otherwise, if Dong Shuni forced him to propose marriage to Wang Shichong because of her sexual relationship with him, it would be a big deal.
Dong Shuni said slightly angrily: Why don't you say anything? Are you already unhappy with me?
Kou Zhong felt a headache. He put his arm around her slender waist and hugged her to his chest. He kissed her deeply and said with a smile:
Can we still learn what we did just now in the future?
Dong Shuni smiled charmingly and said: "Then it's up to me to decide. If there is a chance, people will come to you."
Kou Zhong can be sure that he is her first man because Dong Shuni is more experienced in that matter than him.
Although it is undeniable that she is better than Yun Yuzhen in all aspects, but just like Yun Yuzhen, he will only have a happy attitude and will never act on his true feelings.
What's more, there are so many important and urgent things waiting for him to do.
Along the way, he spent most of the time thinking about the safety of Xu Ziling and Ba Fenghan. The rest of the time was thinking about how to use Wang Shichong to deal with Li Mi, but he never thought about the touching breast on his back, let alone the future with her.
Dong Shuni yanked his hand and said: Go!
The two of them ran down the hill towards Luoshui.
※※※
Li Mi stood on the slope and frowned as he watched his men surround the two-mile-long dense forest they were aiming for, and then dozens of experts, including brothers Yizhen and Fu Yan, searched for them. However, more than half an hour later, there was still no one.
Not the slightest movement.
Wang Bodang, who was on the left, said harshly: This is impossible. How could the fragrance of that girl suddenly disappear?
No one among the more than ten generals behind Li Mi could answer this question.
Shen Luoyan, the one on the right, said softly with beautiful eyes: "I have a very inappropriate feeling. Logically speaking, they should be unable to fly."
Li Mi sighed: If there is such a thing as reasonable or unreasonable, the two thieves Kou and Xu should have died dozens of times, but it is hard to understand that they can always escape from danger.
Wang Bodang said in a deep voice: What should we do if they really succeed in sending Dong Shuni to Yanshi?
Li Mi's eyes lit up with a cold light and he said slowly word by word: The best way is to attack Yanshi immediately to contain Wang Shichong so that it is difficult for him to return to Luoyang to deal with the Dugu Clan and the Yue King. But this will destroy our entire strategy and we will end up with him.
Yu Wenhua and his troops suffered heavy losses in the First World War and had not recovered their vitality, so it was still better to defend than to attack, so they had to find another way.
Then he asked Shen Luoyan, "What's Luoyan's suggestion?"
Shen Luoyan said: Another countermeasure is to secretly send masters into Luoyang to instigate Dugu Feng to wipe out Wang Shichong's power in Luoyang. Wang Shichong will have to cut off his back-up in an isolated city. At that time, we will be as easy as picking out Wang Shichong's head.
Wang Bodang frowned and said: Wang Shichong's power is deeply entrenched in Luoyang. It may not be easy to uproot it. It must be properly arranged.
Li Mi said flatly: No matter whether this plan succeeds or fails, it will only bring benefits to us and no harm. The more chaotic Luoyang is, the better it is. It is best for the Dugu clan and the royal party to fight and lose both sides. That would be even more ideal.
Turning to Shen Luoyan, he said: "We must compete with time. If Wang Shichong had been allowed to take the first step, the damage he would have suffered would have been more minor. Do Luoyan understand the serious relationship between this?"
Shen Luoyan said: Don't worry, Mr. Mi, let Luo Yan handle this matter! He will live up to the trust entrusted by Mr. Mi.
Li Mi ordered: With Luo Yan as the chief and Bo Dang as the deputy, we will also invite the Nanhai Immortal Dharma Master to increase our strength. You can handle the allocation of other manpower as you see fit!
When everyone heard the name of the Nanhai Immortal, they all showed respect and fear.
It turns out that masters of the same generation as Nanhai Immortal Huang Gongcuo and Ning Daoqi were master-level figures. Now, Mei Xun, the leader of the Nanhai Sect in Zhuya County, Nanhai, only belongs to his disciples and grandsons.
It is said that Ning Daoqi once had a decisive battle with Huang Gongcuo on the Leizhou Peninsula. Huang Gongcuo was defeated by Ning Daoqi's unique Sanshou eight blows after hundreds of moves. However, he was defeated even though he was defeated. This shows that Huang Gongcuo, the immortal man of the South China Sea, was defeated by Ning Daoqi.
How wrong.
Because his father Li Kuan had great favors in Nanhai, Li Mi sent envoys several times to ask Huang Gongcuo to come out of the mountain after he raised his army. However, it was not until Emperor Yang was killed by Yu Wenji that Huanggongcuo refused to give up.
The Nanhai faction tried its best to help Li Mi conquer the world, but of course there were harsh conditions attached.
Wang Bodang and Shen Luoyan accepted the order in unison.
At this moment, the torches guarding the south of the dense forest were extinguished one after another, and the sound of screams could not be heard.
Instead of being angry, Li Mi was happy and led all his men to rush away.
※※※
Kou Zhong and Dong Shuni, surrounded by the city's defenders, rode into Wang Shichong's Zheng Guogong Mansion in Yanshi.
Dong Shuni seemed to have turned into another person, smiling and showing a solemn and holy look that could not be violated.
Wang Shichong, who had just entered the mansion, had already heard the news and came out of the gate with the support of more than a dozen soldiers.
Dong Shuni flew off her horse and cried into Wang Shichong's arms.
Wang Shichong's appearance is still as bright as ever, but there are just a few more white spots on his temples.
He hugged Dong Shuni lovingly and said repeatedly: Nini, don't cry! What happened if my uncle has the final say in everything?
Bian Bian looked at Kou Zhong and his eyes immediately became extremely sharp.
Kou Zhong dismounted his horse, saluted and said with a smile: From now on, success or failure will depend on Master Shangshu's thoughts!
Wang Shichong said in shock and displeasure: If you want to be alarmist, don't blame me...
Dong Shuni interrupted him and said slightly: Uncle! He is a good person. Without him, Nini's experience would be unimaginable.
Kou Zhongbi respectfully said: "Wang Shangshu, can you please take a step to say that this matter must be decided immediately, otherwise even if the grandson is reincarnated and Wuhou is resurrected, he will not be able to reverse his own defeat."
Wang Shichong shouted: Kou Zhong!
Kou Zhong bowed and said: Kou Zhong is here!
Wang Shichong stared at him fiercely for a while and then snorted coldly: Come as you find! But don't try to play tricks in front of me.
※※※
Ba Fenghan and Xu Ziling ran for more than fifty miles in one breath and reached the lower reaches of the river in Luoyang. They could no longer hold on anymore and fell down one after another. Next to the bank, there was the endless flow of the Yellow River.
The lights of Luoyang in the distance illuminate the horizon.
After a lot of hard work, they finally escaped from danger. Ba Fenghan laughed and said: Good boy! I really belong to you. Uncle Wang looked at us face to face and still didn’t know who we were. He even ordered us to intercept. Fortunately, I could hold back my laughter at that time.
But I don’t know how hard it is to hold it in.
Xu Ziling shook his head and sighed: Li Mi worked so hard and mobilized so many people, but he couldn't even touch the tail of our shirts. I'm sure it will make everyone in the world laugh.
Ba Fenghan managed to get up and said: "While there is still a little time before daylight, we'd better recharge our batteries and then swagger into the city with a fake face and have a sip of hot tea. I have a few old acquaintances in Luoyang who promise to greet me attentively."
Xu Ziling sat up straight with difficulty and said: I wonder if Kou Zhong can move Wang Shichong?
Ba Fenghan took a deep breath and replied with a calm smile: Wang Shichong is just a tiger pretending to be a man, and Kou Zhong is a man pretending to be a tiger. The outcome is clear, so why should Ziling worry?
※※※
In the secret room.
Dong Shuni told the whole story in one breath, but Wang Shichong's expression changed at least a dozen times.
Wang Shichong pondered for a while and said in a deep voice: Shuni, go and have a good rest. Uncle has his own ideas.
Dong Shuni still wanted to act coquettishly, but when she saw Wang Shichong's expression was serious and his face was filled with gloom, she dared not say anything and glanced at Kou Zhong, who was sitting opposite, and went away obediently.
The door is closed.
Only Wang Shichong and Kou Zhong were left in the huge secret room.
Kou Zhong was surprisingly silent.
He hasn't said a word since entering the secret room.
Wang Shichong pondered for a long time and said in a low voice: You are willing to risk your life to save Nini. I, Wang Shichong, am very grateful for your request!
Knowing that he didn't trust him, Kou Zhong smiled lightly and said: My request is to bring down Li Mi.
Wang Shichong looked at him in astonishment for a while, frowned and said: Now that I am troubled both internally and externally, and I am constantly facing enemies from both sides, I may not be able to help you fulfill your wish.
Kou Zhong was confident and said: Wang Shangshu's words are wrong. The fact is that there has never been a better moment than the present moment when you have the opportunity to crush the Wagang army.
Wang Shichong said displeasedly: What I hate the most in my life is people threatening me with favors. Wang Shichong has never seen any scene, how can he be manipulated by others?
Kou Zhong calmly said: What is the purpose of Wang Shangshu sending troops to Yanshi this time?
Wang Shichong's eyes flashed and he said coldly: This moment was the same as that moment and now, my top priority is to return to Luoyang and eliminate the traitors.
Kou Zhong smiled and said: What then?
Wang Shichong said proudly: "After peace, of course we will fight against the outside world. Li Mi and I are incompatible with each other."
Kou Zhong laughed and said: Wang Shangshu sent troops this time because he saw that although Li Mi defeated Yu Wenhuaji, his vitality was seriously injured, so he took the opportunity to attack him. Now he wants to make peace first and let the opportunity slip away to give Li Mi a chance to rest and recuperate. Isn't it right?
Big miscalculation?
Wang Shichong looked at him blankly for a long time and said solemnly as if he knew him clearly for the first time: Does Brother Kou think that we should deal with Li Mi first and then return to the army to deal with Yang Tong and Dugu Feng?
Kou Zhong shook his head and said: No. Even if there is nothing wrong with Dongdu, if Shangshu rushes to attack Li Mi this time, he will definitely be defeated.
Wang Shichong originally wanted to test whether Kou Zhong had any ulterior motives in using him to deal with his great enemy Li Mi. At this moment, Li Mi was surprised to hear that he was so surprised and asked humbly: "I would like to hear the details."
Kou Zhong then told what Li Mi said about Wang Shichong's dispatch of troops. Of course, it was just like Kou Zhong's own speculation.
Wang Shichong's expression changed slightly and he was speechless for a while, showing that he had been hit in a vital point.
After a long while, Wang Shichong sighed and said: I am originally from the Western Regions. I came to the Sui Dynasty with my father because I admired the culture of the Celestial Dynasty. I have loved reading history books since I was a child. I love to practice military science, become a military judge, and worship the minister of the Ministry of War. I am very valued by Yang Guang, the fatuous king. The battle with Meng Rang made me even more proud.
I thought that there was no one in the world who could defeat me, Wang Shichong, who was famous all over the world. How could I have known that when I met the Li thief, I was restrained at every turn? If Brother Kou had not reminded me that this battle was indeed a defeat, should I return to the Eastern Capital immediately?
Kou Zhong knew that he was already in a state of chaos and smiled and said: As I just said, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to defeat the Wagang army. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, Li Mi was seriously injured and the soldiers were exhausted. Secondly, Li Mi had just defeated Yu.
The culture and mentality of victory will inevitably underestimate the enemy.
After a pause, he said calmly: "You are not afraid of offending. You are actually inferior to Li Mi in terms of military strength, and your repeated defeats have only made Li Mi contemptuous. So as long as Wang Shangshu shows your enemy that you are weak and creates a clever situation to attract Li Mi, we will do our best."
The layout of the trap is guaranteed to cause Li Mi to fall into a big somersault and then be unable to overwhelm Dongdu.
Wang Shichong's heart skipped a beat when he heard this, and his doubts about Kou Zhong were greatly reduced. His trust doubled and he asked: How can we show weakness to the enemy?
Kou Zhongdao: May I ask how many available troops Wang Shangshu has on hand now?
Wang Shichong hesitated for a moment before making up his mind and replied: I only have 20,000 people with me on this trip, but they are all well-trained elites.
Kou Zhong slapped the case and said: "That's it." Sun Tzu has said: Soldiers are more valuable than more elites. And because we have few soldiers, it will increase Li Mi's desire to underestimate the enemy. As long as he mistakenly thinks that our food and grass can no longer continue, I will not believe in the newly victorious Li Mi.
You can still bear not to lead the army into a drowning battle.
Wang Shichong shook his head and said: He can wait until we are really short of food before attacking. This strategy may deceive others, but it will never deceive the scheming Li Mi.
Kou Zhong smiled and said: So I have to create other subtle situations to force Li Mi to fight a tough battle.
Wang Shichong was surprised and said: "What's the plan?"
Kou Zhongdao: The matter can be carried out in two ways. First, we must create a false situation of food shortage. For example, sending people out to search for food and grass and threatening to return to the eastern capital of the army, it would be strange if Li Mi did not come to intercept.
Then he leaned forward and whispered: On the other hand, we have made peace with Dou Jiande, who is no less powerful than Li Mi in the north, and asked him to send troops to attack Li Mi. Of course! This move must be done cleverly to let Li Mi know, so there is no need to worry about him not taking the initiative to attack.
.
Even though Wang Shichong was conceited about his talent, he couldn't help but say: It is indeed a clever plan, but the details still need to be considered.
His eyes immediately shot out a sharp light and stared at Kou Zhong and said: Everyone knows that your ambition, Kou Zhong, has turned the south upside down. What is the purpose of helping me now?
Kou Zhong met his gaze calmly and said calmly: Because if I don't kill Li Mi, Li Mi will kill me. I don't care who becomes the emperor, as long as it is not Li Mi, he will become the king. Is Shangshu satisfied with my answer?
Wang Shichong said in a deep voice: You are indeed a rare talent. If you are willing to surrender to me, I, Wang Shichong, will not treat you poorly.
Kou Zhong said happily: Thank you Wang Shangshu for your support. But everything still needs to defeat the Wagang army. Although it is important to deal with Li Mi, the Eastern Capital must be firmly in our hands. As long as we can hold on until Li Mi sends troops, we will attack the palace of the King of Yue.
When all those who oppose you are uprooted, Wang Shangshu will be able to take the position of King Yue and replace him. At least half of the world will already be in your pocket, Your Majesty!
These words went straight into Wang Shichong's heart and made him forget that Kou Zhong did not express his allegiance immediately. He said with great joy: Dugu Feng has a strength that cannot be ignored in Luoyang. If I am not in Luoyang, it will be difficult to suppress the overall situation.
Kou Zhong smiled and said: This is a key part of showing weakness to the enemy. The minister might as well go back to Luoyang with his troops and simple horses to calm the situation in Luoyang, and then act according to his own plan. As long as there is any change in Li Mi, the minister will immediately sneak back to take charge of the overall situation.
Is it done?
Wang Shichong was stunned for a long time, let out a long breath, shook his head and said with a smile: Do I have any better choice besides this?